Finmeccanica division 'cooperating with Indian probe'

21/02/2013

AgustaWestland says it complied with technical requirement

Rome, February 21 - AgustaWestland, the helicopter
division of troubled defence giant Finmeccanica, said Thursday
that it is cooperating with the Indian military in its
investigation of an allegedly tainted helicopter contract.
In a statement, AgustaWestland said it is "providing the
necessary clarifications" requested last week by India's defence
ministry about the contract for purchase of 12 AW-101
helicopters, now linked to accusations of bribery.
Those accusations led last week to the resignation and
arrest of Finmeccanica chief executive officer Giuseppe Orsi and
a threat to completely cancel the purchase contract by the
Indian government.
AgustaWestland said it is confirming that the company won
the original contract based on a complete and proper technical
evaluation of its proposals to meet the operation needs of
India's Air force.
Last week, India took the initial steps to cancel the
helicopter contract.
It froze payments on the units, two of which have been
delivered and one on the way, pending the results of the
corruption probe.
India's defence ministry also said it had asked
Finmeccanica's new CEO, Alessandro Pansa, for any information he
might be able to provide on suspected bribes.
Finmeccanica is Italy's biggest defence contractor and a
major world player, employing some 70,000 people.